I Funded My NetSpend Visa and Was Ripped Off..

[bernynhel]

...by the Time I Got Home and Online!

The most recent history showed my funding the card for $195.50 and within an hour or so there's an "IVR Balance Inquiry Fee" of .50 then a $4.95 debit labeled "P2P fee" and a final debit labeled "P2P" with a "user" specified by a 10 didget number (phone number) of $180.00!!! I didn't know that NetSpend was offering user to user transfers via phone! I also didn't know (and was never told) that a carbon copy of the form I filled out with the Visa number filled in was stapled to the back of So someone got my card number, invested $13.70 - $3.95 in a NetSpend account and $10.75, tax included, in a cell phone phone (number already no good) and cleared $166.30!

Their offices had been closed for a half an hour by then but here's what I think happened:

For the first time in 5 years I used Western Union to fund my NetSpend Visa at Rite Aid last week and have loaded my Visa there several times since then(Issued by Meta Bank the same as Western Union's branded Visa). Rite-Aid is closer to me than CVS (MoneyGram), the same fee ($4.50 up to $5k, I think) and easier than MoneyGram (MoneyGram you gotta go through the automated voice prompt dealio on the red kiosk phone - never 1 problem in years!) With WU grab a gray, "Pre-Paid Services Form", fill in your card number, the amount your funding and sign. Hand the form and the money to a checker and voil! It was also the first time I had to write down my Visa card number in the loading process thereby exposing it to every Rite-Aid employee and, hence, probably their extended families, too! And now this!! I wonder what kind a damage control NetSpend is gonna jerk me around with tomorrow (er, today I mean - in 2 hours and fifty-five minutes!) when I call.....? We'll see!

 

[just play]

Why don't you go to the manager of the store? They can see who was working that night by timesheets and narrow it down to just a few employees I'm assuming. Not many employees ever work at the same time at RiteAid.

I think you will have more of a case with RiteAid than netspend. You said the number wasn't good, maybe the manager knows this number and can find out who it was.

 

[rockycatt]

P S if you funded it with a credit card call the credit card pronto

also the p2p transaction has a trail

 

[rockycatt]

Why don't you go to the manager of the store? They can see who was working that night by timesheets and narrow it down to just a few employees I'm assuming. Not many employees ever work at the same time at RiteAid.

I think you will have more of a case with RiteAid than netspend. You said the number wasn't good, maybe the manager knows this number and can find out who it was.

EXACTLY the employee did it

 

[nisosbar]

This has always been one of my fears using that card. You read about people hacking into poker accounts and such. I don't see any reason the same couldn't be done with this card. Nonetheless, I love their card, so hassle-free.

 

[love2winalot]

Hiya: Also, every place that handles money, also has security camera's. So it is pretty easy to see what actually happened to the, "Form" behind the window. Earlier this year in Vegas, an manager at a ,"smoke shop", had been scanning customers visa card into a recorder, and had made tens of thousands before getting caught. The instore Camera is what did him in, amoung other things.

Also, you need to make a police report. Not for them to actually go arrest someone, but you would need the report, in case it came down to you having to sue Rite Aid. It is one thing to to ask for your money back, and quite another to ask for it back, and to be waving the police report in their face. Also, if needed, you can mention that all the news stations that, "ch 5 investigates, ch 8 on your side, ch 3 watching out for you, and so on, LOVE STORIES LIKE THIS........

Hopefully you don't need to do any of this, but if your gonna wave a Gun around, it sure helps if it has some bullets in it...

 

[Stovetopp]

This has always been one of my fears using that card. You read about people hacking into poker accounts and such. I don't see any reason the same couldn't be done with this card. Nonetheless, I love their card, so hassle-free.

I also enjoy using this card as its hassle free...I just go to my supermarket and they swipe the card and enter amount and I am all done no forms no nothing Within 5 minutes I transfer the amount to QT .. DONE!! and within an hour its given to 3 casinos :-((( sheeeeeeeet!!!!


Off topic a bit I did not know about all these options NETSPEND had such as depositig with a credit card and what's this p2p all about? I visit their website and the only thing they offer is direct deposit Can someone fill me in , please? Thanks

 

[rockycatt]

...by the Time I Got Home and Online!

The most recent history showed my funding the card for $195.50 and within an hour or so there's an "IVR Balance Inquiry Fee" of .50 then a $4.95 debit labeled "P2P fee" and a final debit labeled "P2P" with a "user" specified by a 10 digit number (phone number) of $180.00!!! I didn't know that NetSpend was offering user to user transfers via phone! I also didn't know (and was never told) that a carbon copy of the form I filled out with the Visa number filled in was stapled to the back of So someone got my card number, invested $13.70 - $3.95 in a NetSpend account and $10.75, tax included, in a cell phone phone (number already no good) and cleared $166.30!

Their offices had been closed for a half an hour by then but here's what I think happened:

For the first time in 5 years I used Western Union to fund my NetSpend Visa at Rite Aid last week and have loaded my Visa there several times since then(Issued by Meta Bank the same as Western Union's branded Visa). Rite-Aid is closer to me than CVS (MoneyGram), the same fee ($4.50 up to $5k, I think) and easier than MoneyGram (MoneyGram you gotta go through the automated voice prompt dealio on the red kiosk phone - never 1 problem in years!) With WU grab a gray, "Pre-Paid Services Form", fill in your card number, the amount your funding and sign. Hand the form and the money to a checker and voil! It was also the first time I had to write down my Visa card number in the loading process thereby exposing it to every Rite-Aid employee and, hence, probably their extended families, too! And now this!! I wonder what kind a damage control NetSpend is gonna jerk me around with tomorrow (er, today I mean - in 2 hours and fifty-five minutes!) when I call.....? We'll see!

isn't this card/account password protected ? if so it may be a electronic error just a thought

 

[vegetagirl2008]

On the Netspend Website it states you can file a dispute. Go to the police first in your jurisdiction file the report and fax it to Netspend . Attached is the form for unauthorized transactions.
Someone stole that money via Toll-free number and it might have been an inside job. I would get to the bottom of it and quickly you might have to change your card number and find another way to load your money.

Old / Expired Link

 

[bernynhel]

Thank you all for your help and advise!

They can see who was working that night by timesheets and narrow it down to just a few employees I'm assuming.

I used that method in that store half a dozen times at least since Nov 1. 5 diff employees minimum handled the deal. Besides, anyone with access could have got the info. Employees, employee's friends, 3rd cousins twice removed...But thanks, just play!

This has always been one of my fears using that card. You read about people hacking into poker accounts and such. I don't see any reason the same couldn't be done with this card. Nonetheless, I love their card, so hassle-free.

Only fund your NetSpend via card swipe or similar, secure methods! That's the moral of this thread.

That NetSpend started making $4.95 per transactioin for P2Ps (transfers between NetSpend Account Holders, I know NOW, thanks a LOT NetSpend!) and that it can be done over the telephone coupled with the exposure to one's account number from the use of having to write it on forms and handing it over to God-Knows-Who (how much ya wanna bet none are even bonded!) all makes for a pretty damn tough case for NetSpend's liability in this. Thanks!

Hiya: Also, every place that handles money, also has security camera's. So it is pretty easy to see what actually happened to the, "Form" behind the window...Also, you need to make a police report...you can mention that all the news stations that, "ch 5 investigates, ch 8 on your side, ch 3 watching out for you, and so on, LOVE STORIES LIKE THIS...

No "windows". Each time the checker would call whoever depending on who's working at the time (manager, shift bosses) and they'd meet me at the counter where they handle photo processing transactions, replace watch batteries and keep the counter-top thingy that holds the various WU forms.

Police Reports and Broadcast News Organization's consumer watchdog's desks are brilliant! Thanks!

I also enjoy using this card as its hassle free...I just go to my supermarket and they swipe the card and enter amount and I am all done no forms no nothing Within 5 minutes I transfer the amount to QT .. DONE!! and within an hour its given to 3 casinos :-((( sheeeeeeeet!!!!

Read up, this post. I never heard of "P2P" 'til my card wouldn't work for QT and I saw the notations for debits the crook made to rob me. And I've been using NetSpend ever since Bryan was just a Keno Runner.

Just keep swiping to load and you'll be cool.

isn't this card/account password protected ? if so it may be a electronic error just a thought

My NetSpend statment displayed the balance inquiry made by the crook so he/she'd know how much to transfer (-$0.50), the P2P Fee (-$4.95) and the crook's NetSpend ID on the transfer notation (-$180.00)!

...Go to the police first in your jurisdiction file the report and fax it to Netspend . Attached is the form for unauthorized transactions... I would get to the bottom of it and quickly you might have to change your card number and find another way to load your money.

Old / Expired Link

Thanks veggirl! Of course I was on the phone to NetSpend at 6:01 PST, yesterday (Their offices open at 8Am in the mid-west) where Lorna of NetSpend (country of origin unknown but cute accent) gave me a Ref#, a claim# and when I balked at the mention of a fax (my automatic, knee-jerk response ever since my first scanner - fax's, IMO, are useless and obsolete - I can usually get an email address when I mention this to anyone, nowadays) along with the emaill address, [email protected] to email my claim.

I emailed a rundown of the heist including attachments of my scanned, hand - scrawled note with my handwritten signature (required by NetSpend) stating the email was the facts, ma'am, nothing but the facts, plus examples of a WU receipt for a Netspend load showing the "exposed" prepaid services form stapled to the back.

Lorna said, "Well, I'll go check the other users account right now and any funds still in it I will transfer back into your account." Isn't Lorna just the cutest lil thing? I chuckled and said, "Lorna, my dear, if there's not less that $20 in that account, I'll eat a bug." Silence. Then she excused herself to put me on hold and go check. She came back in 25 seconds, "$16!", she actually sounded kinda happy for me, "and Ill transfer those funds immediately back into your account, sir." I think I love Lorna. "But, Lorna, my love, didn't we just block my account, permanently?" I said softly. And I said I'd eat a bug if you didn't find less than $20 left in my account because the thief couldn't extract a lessor amount via ATM."l Silence. "Oh my gosh, that's right!", exclaimed Lorna. Then, "Lorna? I think I love you."

The documentation:

The email:

Dear [email protected]:

This email is to notify you that all transaction on my Netspend account # XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX (now defunct) occurring after my funding my account with the load of $195.50 via MoneyGram at ALBERTSONS, WASHINGTON STREET, Palm Desert, CA 92211, specifically, the Debit: Balance Inquiry - IVR (-$0.50), Debit: P2P Fee (-$4.95) and Debit: $180.00 to user 2105718348 - (-$180.00) were made by a person or persons unknown to me and without my knowledge or authorization.
?
The only recent changes in the funding of my NetSpend Visa in over a year are that beginning about the 1st of November I began loading my card via Western Union at Rite Aid Store #5682, 74958 Country Club Drive, Palm Desert, CA 92260. Before that time no one has ever seen my NetSpend Card Number as all transactions prior to November 1, 2009 have been via card swipes and online, fully automated purchasing.
?
Loading my NetSpend account via Western Union at the above mentioned Rite Aid involved the Western Union Prepaid Services (gray) form (see example, attached) and my account number was required to be hand written, by me, in the spaces provided. I did not even know, nor was I informed, that a copy of said Prepaid Services (gray) form, with my NetSpend account number, in my handwriting. was stapled to the back of my Western Union Prepaid Services Receipt. From that point on November 1, 2009, and going forward to date, my NetSpend Account information was obviously compromised.
?
Today I spoke with Lorna at 1-866-387-7163, who issued my reference and claim numbers. She informed me of NetSpend's requirements for claims and handwritten signatures (see attached). She also informed me that the "user" who stole my money still showed a balance of $16.00 from the original $180.00 in his/her account. $16.00 is not accessible via ATM.
?
I am sorry that the use of Western Union to load my NetSpend account is so severely flawed and vulnerable. Had I known I would have stuck with MoneyGram. That said, these facts are NetSpends business, not mine. It is the fault of NetSpend, solely, for the loss of my money in the amount of $185.45 due to negligence on NetSpend's part for implementing the above described loading method and, thereby, causing my funds to be stolen by persons, unknown to me.
?
Please settle my claim for the amount of $185.45, forthwith. I will establish a new Netspend account for ease of expedition of this settlement.
?
Sincerely,

(deleted by bernynhel)

The "hand-scrawled" note with signature and the WU forms leaving my fanny in the wind:

 

[WagerWitch]

ROFLMAO --- Not at the situation - but about your conversation with Lorna.

Bernyn--- You're one funny person.

Uhm about the situation tho - this kinda stinks and really does NOT bode well for RiteAid OR Western Union.

Not at all.

And it's a good reminder to only swipe the card.

NOW - here's my question - you mention something about being able to deposit more than 500.00

WHERE?

I've only uploaded at Safeway which only allows you to deposit 500.00 in 24 hours.

Good luck on everything - I've never had a problem with Netspend - to me they TOTALLY Rock - for many years now!

 

[bernynhel]

The hassle began when Albertson's quit selling NetSpend reload paks. No one else handles them in So Cal that I know of.

So yesterday I go out to buy a new prepaid Visa. Albertson's sold several where the card issurer is Meta Bank the same issurer of, you guessed it!

So I ask about the "Only 1" prepaid Visa and am told that that card can be loaded via card swipe. WTF?!! So I buy the stupid thing and 3Dice and Sloto Cash rejected in (error msg of some nature at 3Dice and "rejected by our card processor" at Sloto but then Sloto rejected my NetSpend lately, too!and only Grand Modial took it w/o a hitch. But registering the card at QT and funding there was no prob.

Another card option at Albertsons was a "chick-card" Visa (some The-Lifetime-Channel-correct-sounding-name with a photo of some hard-body-babe in a bikini frollicking at surf's edge on a beach plastered all over it) with an activation fee of $12.95 vs. the "Only 1"'s avtivation of only $9.95 (cuz, obviously, they getcha on the lifestyle appeal and they must think that chicks are suckers).

Both cards charge monthly fees of $4.95 plus reload fees of $4.95 (I guess) and I don't even know the per transaction fee, yet. And you get to phoe and talk to some one once a month before they slap another charge on you plus other stuff I don't even recall right now! So I see why Meta Bank (the greedy MFr!) is making it more difficult do business with the NetSpend brand.

 

[just play]

So what do you do now? I still think you should pursue Rite Aid, why let them have a theif working for them who WILL do it again? They have ways of checking into this, I know for sure.

You know what I do? You guys are going to die....there is a little corner store not too far from my house owned by Pakistinians, and only the owner and one woman who works there knows how to use their Netspend thing, not his wife nor father. He has to punch in the numbers manually on his machine. If the owner is not there, I leave my card with the money for him with a little note, and as soon as he comes in, he puts the money on my card.

 

[bernynhel]

ROFLMAO --- Not at the situation - but about your conversation with Lorna.

Bernyn--- You're one funny person.

What do you mean[/] I'm "funny?" You mean, let me understand this cause, ya know maybe it's me, I'm a little f****d up maybe, but I'm funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you? I make you laugh, I'm here to f****n' amuse you? What do you mean funny, funny how? How the f**am I funny, what the f**is so funny about me?

 

[LonelyHearts]

What do you mean[/] I'm "funny?" You mean, let me understand this cause, ya know maybe it's me, I'm a little f****d up maybe, but I'm funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you? I make you laugh, I'm here to f****n' amuse you? What do you mean funny, funny how? How the f**am I funny, what the f**is so funny about me?

Wow Bernynhel calm your A$$ down. Wagerwitch was only referring to the conversation you had with Lorna. Wagerwitch thought the conversation was HaHa funny.

 

[bernynhel]

ROFLMAO --- Not at the situation - but about your conversation with Lorna.

Bernyn--- You're one funny person.[/QUOTE]

...what the f**is so funny about me?

- Tommy DiVito, The Goodfellas

...this kinda stinks and really does NOT bode well for RiteAid OR Western Union...Not at all...

Ya think???

...you mention something about being able to deposit more than 500.00...WHERE?

For five years or more I always bought my NetSpend Visas at Ace Cash Express, a national check-cashing/payday loan chain and they OWN the NetSpend brand of Visa card. So when you find a location -

You do not have permission to view link Log in or register now.

(my regular loc was Sepulveda at National in the center where Hamburger Habit is) you can load $5k and I think it was raised to $10k but don't quote me.

 

[vegetagirl2008]

No need for this thread to get heated Wagerwitch only thought the conversation between you and Lorna was funny, even you had a chuckle out of it. We know you had a bad day. I think she was trying to be a little comforting. I don't think she meant to say your situation was funny at all.

 

[bernynhel]

Wow Bernynhel calm your A$$ down. Wagerwitch was only referring to the conversation you had with Lorna. Wagerwitch thought the conversation was HaHa funny.

TWO with ONE STONE!!!!

(..and dont ever tell me to calm down, again!!!!)







LOL!

 

[bernynhel]

...Wagerwitch only thought the conversation between you and Lorna was funny...

We know you had a bad day....

SAY it ISN'T SOOO!!!!! 3??? Ima be greater than Jack the Giant Killer any minute now!!

I got you ALL! Got you GOOD, too. Well, veggirl and lonely hearts for sure. We'll see and wait for wagerwitch's next post. Don't none a you gwan n spoil it none, neither!

Actually, I'm having a pretty good day - I went to Agua Calliente Casino this morning and hit the RF for $1,000 on $1.25 bet on the Super Aces, double double jackpot quarter VP machines for the second time in two weks and only made about 5 bets or so after putting in a $100 bill. I was there a total of 7 minutes!! These are the 6 machines that were moved from The Spa Resort and Casino along with all the old Pot-O-Gold machines when they opened the AC. These are in a little circle (actually a little triangle with two machines side-by-side for each side) right at the start of the carpeting on the right as you enter from the west parking lot off of Ramon Rd.

I only held the Jh. The deal was 8c, Jh, Qd, Ks, 6d. Why did I hold the just the Jh? Cuz everyone knows that with unsuited faces you only ever hold the facecard furthest on the LEFT. Only exceptions are if there's an A on the right END of if a its bonus game where 4 As have a higher payout than other four -of-a-kinds.

Two weeks and change ago, I hit the RF on one of those same machines and only held the Ah! But that day I felt like hangin' around and cleared $2,700. But I do appreciate the concern and it was cute the way you gals defended wagerwitch!

 

[cheetahwind]

@bernynhel
Most reloadable prepaid cards that you buy off the shelves don't allow for international transactions right away. You almost 90% of the times have to wait for the actual physical card with your name on it to show up before you can use it for anything outside of the united states. As for my netspend knock on wood I haven't had any issues doing western union so far just I think it's because I do it a place where I know the people. We do have one netspend reload location in town but you only save 65 cents and it's a drive all the way accross town. Barely worth the drive IMHO.

 

[bernynhel]

@bernynhel
Most reloadable prepaid cards that you buy off the shelves don't allow for international transactions right away. You almost 90% of the times have to wait for the actual physical card with your name on it to show up before you can use it for anything outside of the united states. As for my netspend knock on wood I haven't had any issues doing western union so far just I think it's because I do it a place where I know the people. We do have one netspend reload location in town but you only save 65 cents and it's a drive all the way accross town. Barely worth the drive IMHO.

Maybe why it didn't work at 3dice and Sloto Cash?...but worked at QuickTender and Grandial Mondial - maybe they have US card processors?? I dunno but, thanks, cheetahwind!!

I used NetSpend Visas for YEARS. Was one a their biggest fans. But never had a problem til I funded with Western Union and had to fill in my card number on the form - if you know the people at your Western Union, fine but for $9.95 is was easier for me to change to a card that can be funded via swipe at many closeby locs. I got another NetSpend, too! But only so that they had a place to refund my money to without excuses!

 

[just play]

What do you mean[/] I'm "funny?" You mean, let me understand this cause, ya know maybe it's me, I'm a little f****d up maybe, but I'm funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you? I make you laugh, I'm here to f****n' amuse you? What do you mean funny, funny how? How the f**am I funny, what the f**is so funny about me?

OMG SO FUNNY!!! I knew what you were talking about within the first few words...one of my all time fav movies!!!

And DO NOT let Rite Aid off the hook.

 

[winbig]

And DO NOT let Rite Aid off the hook.

Definitely....the idiot clerk probably bought the card there at the store...and I'm sure it's on tape.

 

[skiny]

Forgive my ignorance about Netspend but if this money was transferred to another netspend account with a phone number and withdrawn through a bankmachine sure there's a trail a mile long to find the person who did it.

Who owned the other Netspend account? Even if the phone number is no good the phone company must know who owned it before. Who's bank machine card withdrew the cash? Bank machines have video cameras.

You might not be able to acquire this informantion but surely someone can. This seems like a pretty stupid way to steal money. I'm sure you'll find the guy who stole this, Bern. Whoever the thief is should spend more time watching World's Dummest Criminals.

 

[winbig]

Forgive my ignorance about Netspend but if this money was transferred to another netspend account with a phone number and withdrawn through a bankmachine sure there's a trail a mile long to find the person who did it.

Who owned the other Netspend account? Even if the phone number is no good the phone company must know who owned it before. Who's bank machine card withdrew the cash? Bank machines have video cameras.

You might not be able to acquire this informantion but surely someone can. This seems like a pretty stupid way to steal money. I'm sure you'll find the guy who stole this, Bern. Whoever the thief is should spend more time watching World's Dummest Criminals.

To get the information about who owns that phone number, you'll have to file a police report.

 

[skiny]

What do you mean[/] I'm "funny?" You mean, let me understand this cause, ya know maybe it's me, I'm a little f****d up maybe, but I'm funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you? I make you laugh, I'm here to f****n' amuse you? What do you mean funny, funny how? How the f**am I funny, what the f**is so funny about me?

One of my favorite Joe Pesci scenes ever.

 

[bernynhel]

Definitely....the idiot clerk probably bought the card there at the store...and I'm sure it's on tape.

Rite Aid stores don't sell or service NetSpend. The link is Western Union. Rite
Aid is a Western Union agent providing all services.

I have had prepaid debit cards under phony names, phony addresses and phony social security numbers (FYI, when you provide a social security number when registering prepaid phones and/or debit cards nobody verifies the SS#. They only use it for the purpose of verifying your identity by asking for the last four digits when you contact support) linked to cell phones with the same phony names and additionally, linked to email addresses under the phony names. No real data links, whatsoever. Completely untraceable. Nothing factual about me was ever linked to anything in the above mentioned chain.

...but if this money was transferred to another netspend account with a phone number and withdrawn through a bankmachine...Who owned the other Netspend account? Even if the phone number is no good the phone company must know who owned it before... Bank machines have video cameras.
...

NetSpend account available online and registered via any email address -$9.95

Virgin Mobile Marbl phone and $20 Virgin Mobile minute-pak available at any 7-11 - $29.95

Entirely disposable, complete anonymity - priceless!

To get the information about who owns that phone number, you'll have to file a police report.

I am so blessed to have not only Sherlock Holmes, but Dr. Watson as well, hard at work on my case! How can I ever thank you, both, enough?



One more thing. This is for all the QuickTender customers. I have a QuickTender account and use it almost exclusively for depositing at online casinos and poker rooms. Anyone with a QuickTender account who can access anyone else's online casino account with the casino account holder's user name or account number (depending on the casino) and password may withdraw up to the daily maximum allowed by the casino into that QuickTender account. A person requesting a withdrawal from an online casino account owned by someone else is required only to enter their QuickTender account number to initiate the withdrawal process and no further verification is performed by the casino or QuickTender. The above remains true even if the rightful casino account holder had made a legitimate and successful QuickTender withdrawal from the same casino moments earlier. A different QuickTender account number may still be used to make a withdrawal from the same casino account. How about that?

 

[bernynhel]

One of my favorite Joe Pesci scenes ever.

Yeah and he said at the end "I almost had 'em." But I GOT 'em!

OK, BACK ON TOPIC:

Since the start a this, "thing", for lack of a less caustic name for it (I will only say that it rhymes with "fuster cluck"), NetSpend's fraud department has been off for the weekend. They arrive tomorrow, 8:00 AM, CST. I'll let everyone know what happens, next, sometime after then.

And thanks for all the great posts and new friends and fun. There's no such thing as too much fun - even a funeral is a good place to try and have more of it! - bernynhel

 

[skiny]

NetSpend account available online and registered via any email address -$9.95

Virgin Mobile Marbl phone and $20 Virgin Mobile minute-pak available at any 7-11 - $29.95

Entirely disposable, complete anonymity - priceless!

And the bank machine and card used to withdraw the money?

 

[bernynhel]

And the bank machine and card used to withdraw the money?

Disposable temp card - the one you get before the one with your name on it arrives in the mail. Who knows?

And have you ever worn a baseball cap while using an ATM machine and have the machine pause the transaction to request that you remove the cap?

Or ask you to tilt your face up and say "cheese?"

Me neither. I have withdrawn money from an ATM machine standing around the corner and using a women's compact mirror. It was my own, legitimate bank account, the ATM on the corner of the bank building where I opened my account and did all of my personal banking, and no one ever said anything about it.

I've had 3 or 4 open NetSpend accounts, simultaneously, simply from losing one card with a zero or slightly negative balance and then buying a new card without ever reporting the previous card as being "lost".

I think they called me on it when I was on the phone to them about something and they closed three accounts, leaving the newest. But this was more than a year after I lost the first card and started accumulating accounts. If you lose a card and don't ever log into that account afterward but have a new card with new log in info that you're using, regularly, who's gonna know?

 

[just play]

Rite Aid stores don't sell or service NetSpend. The link is Western Union. Rite
Aid is a Western Union agent providing all services.

I have had prepaid debit cards under phony names, phony addresses and phony social security numbers (FYI, when you provide a social security number when registering prepaid phones and/or debit cards nobody verifies the SS#. They only use it for the purpose of verifying your identity by asking for the last four digits when you contact support) linked to cell phones with the same phony names and additionally, linked to email addresses under the phony names. No real data links, whatsoever. Completely untraceable. Nothing factual about me was ever linked to anything in the above mentioned chain

I don't understand why you are putting the problem on Netspend? Also it seems your DEAD SET against pursuing Rite Aid, it just makes me wonder why? How does Netspend know you didn't do this yourself? You yourself said above that nothing would be linked to a person, so you could have done it yourself to make extra money. This IS NOT what I am saying you did, I just strongly believe it's Rite Aids problem.

You see where I'm going with this...it's a Rite Aid problem, not Netspend.

I'm not trying to be a jerk, I just think you are "barking up the wrong tree" IMHO

 

[silkprint]

Wow Bern ,what a shitty thing to have happen !
I got the Goodfella thingie right away ...Hasn't everyone seen that movie at least 3 times ? If you haven't , then you have to . Its a classic

 

[skiny]

Disposable temp card - the one you get before the one with your name on it arrives in the mail. Who knows?

And have you ever worn a baseball cap while using an ATM machine and have the machine pause the transaction to request that you remove the cap?

Or ask you to tilt your face up and say "cheese?"

Me neither. I have withdrawn money from an ATM machine standing around the corner and using a women's compact mirror. It was my own, legitimate bank account, the ATM on the corner of the bank building where I opened my account and did all of my personal banking, and no one ever said anything about it.

I've had 3 or 4 open NetSpend accounts, simultaneously, simply from losing one card with a zero or slightly negative balance and then buying a new card without ever reporting the previous card as being "lost".

I think they called me on it when I was on the phone to them about something and they closed three accounts, leaving the newest. But this was more than a year after I lost the first card and started accumulating accounts. If you lose a card and don't ever log into that account afterward but have a new card with new log in info that you're using, regularly, who's gonna know?

The only problem I see is if he was smart enough to steel your information and create an anonymous account at netspend and get a phone that can't be traced (I bought a pay as you go phone before and I had to give all kinds of information and show ID) And get an untraceable debit card and hide his self well enough at the bank machine to keep from being recognized, he probably wouldn't have been working at the Rite Aid in the first place.

Seems like an awful lot of work for 166 bucks.

Pursue it and he'll be caught.

 

[bernynhel]

I don't understand why you are putting the problem on Netspend? Also it seems your DEAD SET against pursuing Rite Aid, it just makes me wonder why? How does Netspend know you didn't do this yourself? You yourself said above that nothing would be linked to a person, so you could have done it yourself to make extra money. This IS NOT what I am saying you did, I just strongly believe it's Rite Aids problem.

You see where I'm going with this...it's a Rite Aid problem, not Netspend.

I'm not trying to be a jerk, I just think you are "barking up the wrong tree" IMHO

I've had that card for a year. In November, as of Friday, I had loaded over $3,000 onto that account, October, $4,500+, never less that $2,000 and in February, this year and December, '08, over $10,000.00, each. I have never made a P2P transaction, never used WU prior to November 1 and every purchase has been exclusively one of the following: An online casino, QuickTender, online computer stuff, travel - purchased online, electronics purchased online, political donations, again, online and a few lunches with bar (in the flesh!) at Palm Valley Country Club (my home). Given that, by what stretch of the imagination would a NetSpend employee have the balls to accuse me of screwinig around for $180 when they're looking at my transactions and they see that on several occasions I have spent more than twice the "disputed" amount on LUNCH?

I don't need to go after Rite Aid. My business is with NetSpend. Rite Aid/Western Union is their business and the money I handed over to the Rite Aid employee did, in fact, load, as promised, into my NetSpend account. The perp extracted it after it got there, mais non?
And remember: Lorna (sigh) of NetSpend, already said: "...I will transfer any funds still in user X's account back into your account." So if NetSpend acknowledged that they owed me the money on Friday, how do you think they might claim to NOT still owe me the money tomorrow? lol

I'm sorry if it seemed as if I was ignoring those points, earlier. I will file a police report. Then if the cops or NetSpend wanna go after Rite Aid/Western Union of whoever, its their dime, their call.

 

[skiny]

You can go after Netspend and maybe you'll get your 180 bucks back and maybe you won't but personally I'd be after the needledick that thought he could rip me off in the first place.

I'd forego the 180 just to see him hang by his dirty toenails.

 

[WagerWitch]

Me knows berny... LOL!

I was laughin' me ass off!

 

[winbig]

I don't understand why you are putting the problem on Netspend? Also it seems your DEAD SET against pursuing Rite Aid, it just makes me wonder why? How does Netspend know you didn't do this yourself? You yourself said above that nothing would be linked to a person, so you could have done it yourself to make extra money. This IS NOT what I am saying you did, I just strongly believe it's Rite Aids problem.

You see where I'm going with this...it's a Rite Aid problem, not Netspend.

I'm not trying to be a jerk, I just think you are "barking up the wrong tree" IMHO

It's a rite-aid problem too, but Netspend needs to investigate why this scam happened and how this happened so it doesn't happen to millions of other netspend users as well.

Maybe they'll actually block peer to peer transfers until a security code or whatever gets mailed to them, and they verify the code online. This would sure prevent the "hit and run" scam that happened here.

 

[bernynhel]

The only problem I see is if he was smart enough to steel your information and create an anonymous account at netspend and get a phone that can't be traced (I bought a pay as you go phone before and I had to give all kinds of information and show ID) And get an untraceable debit card and hide his self well enough at the bank machine to keep from being recognized, he probably wouldn't have been working at the Rite Aid in the first place.

Seems like an awful lot of work for 166 bucks.

Pursue it and he'll be caught.

How about he's buying dozens of NetSpend account numbers, in bulk, from Rite Aid clerks all over the Coachella Valley and paying $10/account number. That's an extra $30-50 extra in cash/week or more for a $8/hr Rite Aid clerk who probably knows the perp from Jr Hi. Whenever he gets 10 or so, does his thing and now its a few grand, maybe more, and the cost per heist is still under $50 cuz he can use his one disposable phone and NetSpend for multiple heists in one day.

Go into any 7-11 and on the wall, behind the counter where Ibrahim and
Achnad are standing when they're not checking people's losing Mega-Lotto tickets all day, hanging on a peg on the wall with all the Mexican phone cards are Virgin Mobile/Kyrocera Mrbl phones for $9.95. Buy it and a $20 Virgin Mobile money pak and head to the nearest cyber cafe' or your public library where you'll pry the phone from the clam shell packaging, go online and activate the phone and apply the $20 money-pak. Who was there, aywhere, during any of this, to ask for any ID?

This guy/these people can be clearing $10k/week if they got this thing down. Maybe more.

 

[bernynhel]

You can go after Netspend and maybe you'll get your 180 bucks back and maybe you won't but personally I'd be after the needledick that thought he could rip me off in the first place.

I'd forego the 180 just to see him hang by his dirty toenails.

I used to be in a business where collections were necessary from time to time. This was in the IE and there I employed the services of the Callacci brothers (3 of 'em, each 5'6" tall and 5'6" wide - Callacci not their real name). They would cruise the U-Haul rental places and look for a truck someone had returned after hours cuz the keys would be in it, it would be full of gas, and no one was gonna miss it till the U-Haul place called the people who rented it and dropped it off and ask, "Where's the truck?" for at least another day or two.

They'd drive to where my debtor lived at like 3:30 AM, two through the front and one through the back each with a Mossberg Model 500 "Law Enforcement" combo 12 guage shotgun with the pistol grip installed and 3 full rolls of duct tape ringing the barrels. Every one in the house was stripped naked, duct taped, rolled into a corner and then the house was stripped including carpeting, plumbing fixtures, all cabinets and if an "exploratory excavation" revealed copper pipe, the walls came down and copper removed. If anyone knocked on the door during this time, they were added to the "pile". Every "collection" was completed before sun-up and I always let the Callaccis keep 100% of the collection -it was always worth it - but I would stroll in at the end and take a piss on the "pile" before leaving. But I was young. Let NetSpend have their fun!

Me knows berny... LOL!

I was laughin' me ass off!

Well I knew you appreciated a good sense of humor. How could I lose? See how quick the ladies had your back? I was impressed! lol

It's a rite-aid problem too, but Netspend needs to investigate why this scam happened and how this happened so it doesn't happen to millions of other netspend users as well.

Maybe they'll actually block peer to peer transfers until a security code or whatever gets mailed to them, and they verify the code online. This would sure prevent the "hit and run" scam that happened here.

Maybe. Either way it's NetSpend with the egg on their face, the way I see it, which is like this:

 

[skiny]

I used to be in a business where collections were necessary from time to time. This was in the IE and there I employed the services of the Callacci brothers (3 of 'em, each 5'6" tall and 5'6" wide - Callacci not their real name). They would cruise the U-Haul rental places and look for a truck someone had returned after hours cuz the keys would be in it, it would be full of gas, and no one was gonna miss it till the U-Haul place called the people who rented it and dropped it off and ask, "Where's the truck?" for at least another day or two.

They'd drive to where my debtor lived at like 3:30 AM, two through the front and one through the back each with a Mossberg Model 500 "Law Enforcement" combo 12 guage shotgun with the pistol grip installed and 3 full rolls of duct tape ringing the barrels. Every one in the house was stripped naked, duct taped, rolled into a corner and then the house was stripped including carpeting, plumbing fixtures, all cabinets and if an "exploratory excavation" revealed copper pipe, the walls came down and copper removed. If anyone knocked on the door during this time, they were added to the "pile". Every "collection" was completed before sun-up and I always let the Callaccis keep 100% of the collection -it was always worth it - but I would stroll in at the end and take a piss on the "pile" before leaving. But I was young. Let NetSpend have their fun!

This also seems like a lot of work for 180 bucks.

But again you're assuming the nitwit who scammed your Netspend account is a criminal genius.

Real geniuses don't normally need to resort to petty crimes.

 

[WagerWitch]

Well I knew you appreciated a good sense of humor. How could I lose? See how quick the ladies had your back? I was impressed! lol

They Rock - (those ladies) don't they?

:notworthy

But about the Rite Aid Scam Artists - DAYUM... Bern - let me think about this.

WOW - some serious ring - too many people should be complaining so they WILL be caught.

Please please please DO pursue this thru RiteAid.

I want to see the headlines - this could be killer and YOU could bring down the bad ass ring.

I mean ya gotta respect the gonads these nerds have - but why can't they use the chutzpah for something valid and good instead of something rotten to the core like thievery?

Sigh...

Anyhow Bern - keep us totally posted - this is almost a killer screen play - I can see it being acted out. Yanno?

 

[Dinahnana]

Holey Crap! this whole post is a wakeup call for me. I have a wired plastic and always use WU to reload since the local 7-11 clerks can't figure out how to do the swipe and load. I have no idea why since it is not rocket science. I am usally very careful filling out the info making sure I dont accidently leave my number anywhere. But I can see something like this can easily happen. It is definitely not farfetched to believe that a group of people could be working together in order to scam people. Criminals can be sneaky devils and are always thinking up creative ways of seperating us from our money. I remember hearing a case a couple of years back where somebody who worked for a payroll company siphoned off small amounts from peoples paychecks and it took quite a while before anybody copped on to it. Small amounts go unnoticed but to these criminals it is the volume that makes up their large payday and who knows many people may not bother to report that they got ripped off thinking that there is no way to get their money back anyway.
In future I will be extra careful!

 

[DaveG39]

Just a thought, but am I the only one that knows you can load NetSpend via PayPal..for free??

 

[winbig]

Just a thought, but am I the only one that knows you can load NetSpend via PayPal..for free??

Sure, if you want to wait a few days for the ACH to hit...

Plus there's been reports of Paypal closing people's accounts for funding these netspend cards....I'm not sure if they're still doing that or not.

 

[DaveG39]

Sure, if you want to wait a few days for the ACH to hit...

Plus there's been reports of Paypal closing people's accounts for funding these netspend cards....I'm not sure if they're still doing that or not.

True, I suppose you pay for the convienience. I don't mind waiting, in fact the wait keeps me "in check" else I'd be gambling every day. PayPal did question me once but they haven't closed my account. You'd think, if PayPal was closing alot of accounts, NetSpend wouldn't have the option.

 

[anniemac]

Just a question. To do P2P transfers online, you have to have the card # and the 3 digit security # on the back of the card. How did they get that? You don't put that down when you fill out the WU prepaid load form. Usually I don't even have to show my card to load with the form. Also if you do it by phone you have to have your pin# and the security #.

Just doesn't make much sense to me.

 

[bernynhel]

This also seems like a lot of work for 180 bucks...

LOL! So true. I didn't do it for the money.

...But about the Rite Aid Scam Artists -...WOW - some serious ring - too many people should be complaining so they WILL be caught...

Gee, thanks for the vote a confidence!!! But, er, for the time being, the "ring' theory is still just a paranoid fantasy. But it could happen! Couldn't it?

Just a thought, but am I the only one that knows you can load NetSpend via PayPal..for free??

Ha! Don't get me started! If you think this thread is scary, you don't even wanna hear the true horrors about PayPal. Your **** would fall off! I was fortunate enough to have been alerted and able to wash my hands of PayPal 5 years ago. PayPal IS the Anti-Christ!

Just a question. To do P2P transfers online, you have to have the card # and the 3 digit security # on the back of the card. How did they get that? You don't put that down when you fill out the WU prepaid load form. Usually I don't even have to show my card to load with the form. Also if you do it by phone you have to have your pin# and the security #...

The 1st couple of clerks asked for my card. I thought nothing of it at the time except that maybe they would be less likely to enter my card number incorrectly if they verified my handwritten entry against the actual card. YOU just gave me an "aha" moment. Can you guess what it IS? lol

I know absolutely nothing about P2Ps, their internal organs, their culture or even whether or not they are a carbon-based life form. On the other hand, I do know something about what can be achieved with credit/debit account numbers when the pin numbers and CVV codes are not known. And given the recent cyber-thefts in the news involving millions of cardholders, someone else does, as well. However, hindsight being 20/20 coupled with revelations only moments old, it seems that the CVV code for my card was just as available as the card number.

UPDATE ON MY CLAIM:

"Charlotte" of NetSpend's dispute department assured me that my claim email has been received and that an "investitagor" has 10 business days to contact me either via email or snailmail. No Police Report is required for claims less that $300 and filing one will not affect the outcome of my claim.

When I mentioned to Charlotte that Lorna (sigh) had already offered to transfer all of the missing funds back to my account and asked "why Lorna din' needs no 'vestigator?", Charlotte stuttered and stammered something to the effect that she doesn't know who Lorna is. So, I told Charlotte all about Lorna. Now she knows.

OF PARTICULAR INTEREST:
I am able to access my account history and the $16 that was in the perp's NetSpend account has been transferred via "P2P reversal" back into my account.

 

[WagerWitch]

Gee, thanks for the vote a confidence!!! But, er, for the time being, the "ring' theory is still just a paranoid fantasy. But it could happen! Couldn't it?

Uhm.... you betcha - like I said this could make a decent screenplay.


Also - uhm... YOUR

AHA moment

Errrrr.... could it be the 3 digit number part??? LOL!


ding ding ding ding - she shoots - she scores - she wins!!!

Whatsa my prize boss?

 

[silkprint]

So what happened to your money? Any update?

 

[bernynhel]

Errrrr.... could it be the 3 digit number part??? LOL!...ding ding ding ding...

...a rhetorical question to which the answer was assumed to be a GIMMIE, ww! lol

So what happened to your money? Any update?

Update edited in to my last post near the bottom. Excitin', ain't it?